Association between physical activity behavior and quality of life among older adults

Jurnal Riset Tindakan Indonesia July 24, 2026 Volume 11, Number 1 5 authors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQL) are associated in apparently healthy older adults. The study design was a cross-sectional study. Measurements were obtained from 164 community-dwelling older adults (52 men and 112 women; 70±8 years, mean±SD), selected using a convenience sampling technique from a community health center in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Data were collected using a medical history questionnaire, HRQL from the Medical Outcomes Survey short form-36 questionnaire, and physical activity level from the Johnson Space Center physical activity scale. Subjects were separated into low (n=70) and high (n=94) physical activity groups according to the physical activity scale. The higher physical activity group had significantly higher HRQL scores across all eight domains (p<0.05). Compared with the less active group, the more active group had a lower prevalence of hypertension (52% vs. 71%, p=0.030), fewer women (49% vs. 63%, p=0.036), physical function (81±21 vs. 69±20, p=0.031), role physical (82±33 vs. 62±35, p=0.022), vitality (73±16 vs. 60±15, p=0.001), social function (91±19 vs. 84±20, p=0.044), and bodily pain (83±24 vs. 67±22, p=0.001). The two groups did not differ (p>0.05) in terms of mental health, role emotional, or general health. HRQL scores in both physical and mental domains were higher in healthy older adults who consistently engaged in moderate-intensity physical exercise for more than 1 hour per week compared to those who were less physically active. Because this study used a cross-sectional design, these associations should not be interpreted as causal; nevertheless, older adults who are less active or only moderately active may benefit from increasing their physical activity levels to improve their HRQL

Authors

  1. Rifky Riyandi Prastyawan

    Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

  2. Atikah Rahayu

    Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

  3. Sabda Hussain As Shafi

    Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

  4. Raditya Akbar Adikara

    Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

  5. Adji Pangestu Suhana

    Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

Keywords

Elderly adultsHealth-related quality of lifeHypertensionPhysical activity

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